Research Indicates Lifestyle Changes Could Prevent 40% of Cancer Deaths

A new study conducted by the American Cancer Society, published in the journal CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, suggested that substantial reductions in cancer cases and deaths could be achieved through lifestyle changes. The study highlighted the importance of maintaining a healthy body weight, limiting alcohol consumption, eating a healthy diet, and being physically active.

For the study, researchers examined data from 2019, focusing on 30 types of cancer and 18 modifiable risk factors such as smoking and body weight. Among these, cigarette smoking was identified as the leading risk factor, contributing to nearly 20% of all cancer cases and 30% of all cancer deaths. The study found that lifestyle factors were linked to more than 700,000 new cancer cases and over 262,000 deaths among adults aged 30 and older.

The study identified the top ten risk factors for cancer, which include:

Smoking: Cigarette smoking remains the leading contributor to cancer cases and deaths in both men and women. Despite being a modifiable risk factor, the uptake of recommended lung cancer screenings among high-risk individuals remains low.

Bodyweight: Excess body weight was responsible for nearly 7%–8% of all cancer cases and deaths in the United States. Maintaining a healthy body weight is crucial for cancer prevention.

Alcohol Use: Alcohol consumption contributed to 5.4% of cancer cases in men and 4.1% in women. Limiting alcohol intake can significantly reduce cancer risk.

Poor Diet: Low fruit and vegetable consumption was a major dietary factor contributing to cancer cases and deaths. A healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables is essential for reducing cancer risk.

Lack of Exercise: Physical inactivity, combined with excess body weight, alcohol consumption, and poor diet, contributed to a significant proportion of cancer cases, particularly in women.

Missing Cancer Screenings: The suspension of cancer screenings, especially during the 2020 coronavirus pandemic, led to increased cancer cases due to disruptions in employment, health insurance, and fear of COVID-19.

Sun Exposure: Nearly 93% of all skin melanoma cases and deaths in the United States are attributable to UV radiation. Protective measures such as limiting sun exposure, wearing protective clothing, and using broad-spectrum sunscreen are recommended.

Infections: HPV infection was the largest contributor to cancer cases (1.8%) and deaths (1.2%) attributable to any carcinogenic infection evaluated in this study.

In conclusion, by addressing the risk factors, 40% of cancer cases and deaths could be prevented.

Reference: Farhad Islami MD, PhD, Emily C. Marlow PhD, Blake Thomson DPhil, MPhil, Marjorie L. McCullough ScD, RD, Harriet Rumgay PhD; Proportion and number of cancer cases and deaths attributable to potentially modifiable risk factors in the United States, 2019; 11 July 2024; CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians; https://doi.org/10.3322/caac.21858